Fast FOOD chain McDonald’s said it has no intention of ditching its recently-introduced Toasted Deli Sandwiches, despite disappointing sales and a planned replacement of some of the range this summer.

“There are no plans to cut back or drop the range,” said McDonald’s, after its UK chief operating officer declared himself unimpressed by sales since the toasted sandwiches were introduced last September. “Their popularity continues to grow.”

The company declined to give sales figures but claimed that any disappointment at the figures was based on high expectations for the range, which was designed to sit alongside the salads and other ‘healthier’ products it has introduced.

McDonald’s said that it was working on new versions of the sandwiches to replace some products in the range this summer. The launch of the range in the UK followed its introduction in the US and Canada; the range is not on sale elsewhere.